Tiny Towns - Prairie

I love to travel, especially because of the unexpected that happens when on the road. I don't really enjoy organised trips, where everything is planned and locked in and we deny ourselves an opportunity for the real sense of adventure to take control. For the creative person, it can be very invigorating to be presented with the unexpected, to discover something new, to meet someone with a different perspective on living, to find yourself in a authentic situation that requires a bit of wisdom and wit to endure.

When I was younger, I used to jump on a plane and go, with just a backpack and a healthy dose of curiosity to fuel the way. What happened shaped my view of the world - exploring natural beauty, discovering new emotional depths, witnessing the extremes of poverty and wealth (and tasting a bit of both), feeding adrenalin when caught in a political riot or through the joys of sharing a new experience with an old friend.

An unplanned journey will always be an adventure.

For the ABC north Queensland Tiny Towns trip we had to plan our travel proposal to every detail as structure and routine is often a requirement of productivity (see industrial revolution) but I still like to allow the unexpected to dictate a little of the journey. With half a day scheduled for Prairie I had organised to help north Queensland's online reporter, Nathalie Fernbach, collect video for her online piece on Prairie before heading to Hughenden and afternoon and evening ABC Open workshops.

While she was filming interviews with residents I wandered around the town capturing locations that will help compliment her video stories, indulging in a breath between workshops. It was peaceful with a slight edge of melancholia in the dry, dusty and quiet town and I was pleasantly surprised to stumble across two ABC Open posters stuck to a noticeboard in the middle of Prairie, which I suspect is the work of Mel and Tracey in Hughenden. Thank you, ladies!

With the warmth of the sun on the back of my neck, the outback breeze tickling the hairs on my cheek and after kicking carefree at the tyre tracks in the brown dirt I would frame up an image and let the camera roll for ten seconds. The original plan was to shoot ten good shots within the hour and the shot list included all the usual items such as the pub, the school, the highway etc.

The plan was structured, efficient, life by numbers. But as I wandered around the town I began to find myself slowing down, losing direction and purpose, spending a few minutes just looking at things that caught my eye, (like an old fence line or the large windmill), before even allowing myself to consider adding it to the collection of images. The moment felt good, although I was aware that this was not an efficient way to work! So what was happening?

A single bird flew above, against a clear blue sky and usually I would arm the camera, point and shoot, grabbing the action before the bird flew away. But not at this moment.

Prairie had seduced me into a lull. It's quiet melancholia washing through my senses and I find myself having succumbed to it's slow, quiet existence. But I'm on the job, things need to be done, so slowly my hand lifts the camera, I begin tracking the bird, focus and press record. Except this time I don't count to ten, I don't even think about how this shot will help with the story. It's a peaceful moment for the soul and I'm a part of the place. Only the camera catches this moment in time for what it is.

Back at the pub I discovered an alpaca - a curious beast grunting and clip-clopping around his enclosure. On the veranda sat Scott and Therese, munching graciously on the classic meat pie having stopped at the pub for a bite to eat. Their motorbike and swag are in the camp grounds and the couple explained that they had decided to drive across the country from Brisbane to Broome. Scott and Therese love being on the open road. No plans, just drive, explore, stopping at any place that takes their fancy. The courtesy and friendliness of the publican was enough to convince the couple that the tiny town of Prairie was a good place to stop for the night and here they were, sharing a pie and a kiss. Aussies!

Later, Nathalie and I were back on the road, sticking to schedule, after waving good bye to Scott and Therese, each of us wishing the other a safe journey. Life becomes busy again as we discuss notes and I begin going over my plans for the upcoming ABC Open workshop in Hughenden. Life is on schedule.

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Comments

Michael Bromage

Hi Wendy, for this video I was capturing the peacefulness I felt in Prairie. I really enjoyed the quietness of the town. Nathalie's film, made on the same day, records the diversity of Prairie residents and compliments this film nicely. Click the link at the bottom of the blog post to watch.

Wendy

Some shots of people would have given it more vibrancy - it kind of looks like a ghost town

Michael

You're welcome Sharon! I really enjoyed my time in Prairie and hope to be there again soon - have received requests for more ABC Open workshops in Hughenden. Maybe Prairie State School would be interested in a free digital storytelling workshop, too! Keep an eye on the Open website for upcoming workshops or next time you're in Townsville feel free to drop into the ABC Local Radio station and say hello!

Sharon

wow, am a resident and didn't even know you were here! great shots of our quiet little town, and thank you for including our school, which is the hub of our community (apart from the pub when a beer is required of course!)

Michael

Thanks Alex. I love taking photos on days when the sky is a clear blue.